MAYOR APPOINTS NEW LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT/POLICY ANALYST

(4/20/2010) NEW HAVEN- Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. has announced the appointment of Elizabeth Benton as the City’s new Legislative Assistant/Policy Analyst. Benton, who is leaving her position as a staff reporter at the New Haven Register, will assume this role in the Mayor’s office starting May 19, 2010. Among her duties, Benton will serve as a liaison to the Board of Aldermen.

“Elizabeth brings to the table impressive working knowledge of the City’s needs and policies as well as strong skills and relationships that will further strengthen the team,” said DeStefano. “As we work to make groundbreaking advances in education, public safety and economic development in our City, we aim to employ the best and the brightest to help us get the job done.”

“It’s a pleasure to welcome a smart, forceful individual to the Mayor’s staff,” said Alderman Carl Goldfield, President of the Board of Aldermen.

Benton, a New Haven resident, worked at the Register from 2004-2010. She earned a bachelor of arts at Yale University in 2004 and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

“As a reporter, I had the opportunity to follow closely many of the city's initiatives, from school change and school construction to prison re-entry and efforts to make this city a more sustainable and livable place,” said Benton. “I'm looking forward to the opportunity to be directly involved in helping to support these and future efforts.”